EFF takes university to court

This comes after the party's leadership, led by deputy president Floyd Shivambu, held a meeting with the university council on Monday, following the suspension of some of its members and the banning of the party at the campus.

The group of students were accused of disrupting an election debate, where blows were exchanged during the heated debated that degenerated into chaos.

The banning was rescinded, but the students remained suspended and the party barred from taking part in the elections.

Acting spokesman Fana Mokoena said his party appreciated and celebrated the fact that the decision to ban the EFF was withdrawn.

"Yet the EFF strongly condemns and expresses utter disgust that the Vice Chancellor Adam Habib refuses to lift the disqualification of EFF SRC candidates and suspension of students. As a matter of fact, many academic staff members have written to Adam Habib to advise him to reserve the decision on the suspended students and disqualification of EFF SRC candidates," he said.

"The EFF has taken the decision to take the matter to the court. We will file papers to interdict the election process, reinstate the EFF SRC election candidates and lift the suspension of students."

Mokoena added that Habib: "declared himself an enemy of the Economic Freedom Fighters, and an enemy of open and democratic participation of students in the University of the Witwatersrand."

The council accused the group of students of violating the SRC electoral code of conduct and decided to upheld their banning from taking part in the elections.

"We cannot allow a situation where individuals who signed an Electoral Code of Conduct violate it and then continue to operate as candidates. This would undermine the ability of the elections to be conducted in a free and fair manner."

"Their cases will be investigated and disciplinary procedures will be implemented if appropriate," the council, led by Dr Randall Carolissen, said in a statement.

The safety and security of the Witwatersrand University's community was paramount and could not be compromised, said the council.

The SRC elections were set to take place this week. - ANA

(File photo: Gallo Images)